No more gym shoes at Mass

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Students sport striped ties during the first Mass of the school year.

To set a more formal atmosphere for Mass, Notre Dame Prep has changed the dress code for it this year.

Now students have to wear dress shoes; boys are not allowed to wear short sleeve shirts, and no students are allowed to roll up their sleeves.

“Mass is a time to be reverent, and as it is the most important thing we do at school, it is important to be dressed appropriately,” said Dean Bruce Hermie.

“In the past, the opportunity for students to look sharp was undermined by the fact the shoes being worn were informal,” he said, adding,“It would not be appropriate for a student to go to a formal event wearing informal shoes while wearing a tie and Oxford shirt.

“This goes to looking formal and appropriately dressed for a formal occasion.” Therefore, the change to the Mass attire was made.

Hermie said he believes the change is not too much to ask of the students: “I haven’t counted, but I believe students will be in Mass attire less than fifteen times throughout the entire school year.

“Furthermore, as we strive to prepare you and your peers to move into the real world, appropriate dress for events and meetings will become a regular part of most of your lives,” he added.

“I received compliments from both faculty and parents about how nice everyone looked,” Hermie continued. “From my experience, there is little doubt that for most people, the level of dress they choose to wear impacts not only their behavior but mindset as well. Prom is a perfect example. I have chaperoned Prom for the past 10 years, and each year I notice the level of maturity and decorum in students rise when they are dressed up.

“Mass is the most important thing we do on campus, and therefore, I feel it is beneficial for us to treat it as such,” said Hermie.